Toccata, Denis Bédard www.thejoyofmusic.org

[christianvs1]

Gosh...an Allen..... :(

[jglsd1]

Denis Bedard's music is amazing, I love his fantaisie for soprano saxophone

[Ewelf]

magnifique :3

[OrganNLou]

Wonderful toccata that is played lovingly well. Also you should listen to the new "Hauptwerk" software based organ program that blows away digital organs.

[bombarde1701a]

My beef with Allen is that the digital stuff are usually voiced way too loud in the case when there are pipes.  The church I grew up going to replaced the Rodgers console that was married to the 21 ranks of Balcolm & Vaughn pipes with an Allen and sadly...you cant hear the pipes at all hardly...because of the speakers

[maso608]

m30hyper, after hearing many recitals on both Allen and Rodgers I can honestly say that the Allen has won out over the Rodgers. There is something about the speakers of the Allen that make the sound more convincing. Rodgers says that Allen uses old technology, well if that's so, maybe that's the secret to it;s warmth. Certainly if you have the funds, go with the Walker or the M & O, but in my opinion Allen gives you the best sound for the bucks, that is if you have a good voicer who takes time

[organist99x]

The only Allen I've ever played had 60 ranks of Austin pipes to go along with the digital, and I have to say, the digital was voiced well to blend with the pipes. I'd love to play an all Allen organ sometime just to hear it though. I've heard some really crappy Rodgers organs too. This organ in the video isn't so bad, but I can't stand the chamades in the other videos, they sound like Cromornes.

[m30hyper]

I must agree that an Allen is better than the "cough cough gag...praise band." However, Rodgers has got be the best digitally sampled organ as well as a leader in hybrid technology if you have to go that way. Get more bang for your buck! Keep in mind the Hazel Wright Organ as well as the Ruffatti pipes at Coral Ridge are now at the mercy of a Rodgers console. I certainly don't understand the fascination so many have with those horrendous Allen's!!!

[tjndb]

The main console at the Crystal Cathedral is Ruffatti and rebuilt by Turner about 10 yrs ago. The South gallery console is Moller. The Arboretum is AS, rebuilt by Turner.  The chapel organ is Rodgers

[cjbusboi]

I love Love LOVE this Tocatta! Diane can play the hell out of anything. However, after hearing ALOT of organ music in my day, there certainly is better organs out there when it comes to the digital world. The church organ on Allens is muffled and "MONO" sounding and the full organ sounds like a synthesizer. They aren't the worst, but certainly not the best. Walkers and Rodgers are among the best I've heard.

[bombarde1701]

This doesnt sound too bad, probably because the 20 ranks blend well with what Allen put in. I dont like Allens because they sound muffled and harsh...at least to me. If you go digital, go Rodgers or Walker. This is really a great Toccata though! Would love to hear it on the Ruffati!

[poodleman65]

A wonderful piece of music played on an excellent instrument! Yes, NO electronic organ can take on the "rea" thing (as in pipe organ) BUT with the right speakers and placement thereof can sound fantastic. As for the other makes (eg: Rogers, Makin, etc), they are toys for children. GO FOR THE BEST - STICK WITH PIPES ORGANS OR ALLEN!! Wayne from Australia.

[caddyorganist]

She still has Rodgers at home. I much prefer Rodgers to Allen myself.

[Simonwoodham874]

at the end of the day An organ is an organ with all the spec from 1ft to 32ft good sound be truth i dont think enyone will give a shit.. its just an organ . Allen and copeman hart and makin are good makes

[Arky83mi]

People rip Allens apart but you must remember 2 things....if a church happens to have an electric organ...at least they HAVE an organ and not a...cough cough gag...praise band.

And 2, many Allens are just plug and play and the dealer leaves...You really would be amazed at what an Allen can sound like if you have a professional voicer come in and spend a day or two voicing these things...it truly is impressive. Won't ever match a pipe organ obviously, but it's better than a guitar!!!

[willowthebored]

God cried the day they started using praise bands.

And Allen can make some really great stuff, I've seen (or heard, as it were), like you said, you just need a decent voicer. What I DON'T like about them is the price. For fifty grand and some change I could buy a real two-manual pipe organ and probably get just as well-outfitted a console with it...

[jmjboi]

I really enjoyed this toccata!!

[cromorne]

I think it's because of the rather unimpressive nature of the organ, which is an Allen digital/pipe organ of seemingly mediocre sound quality. Hmmm.

[praisethelord333]

hm i dont find the toccata much spectacular...